JLR teams up with Gorillaz for app challenge

19th June 20176:14 pm19th June 20176:14 pm

Jaguar Land Rover and virtual band Gorillaz are working together to unearth the next generation of talented electronic and software engineers.

In a new section of the band’s mixed reality app, users can take on a code breaking challenge that will test a range of skills. Those who complete the challenge successfully will be fast-tracked through JLR’s recruitment process, with the next step being a video interview. Applications are open to all ages, offering a range of roles at apprentice level (16-18), graduate level (18-22) and direct employment (22+).

“As the automotive industry transforms over the next decade, fuelled by software innovation, we have to attract the best talent and that requires a radical rethink of how we recruit,” said Alex Heslop, head of Electrical Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover.

“Here we’ve found an engaging way to recruit a diverse talent pool in software systems, cyber systems, app development and graphics performance. It will be the first of its kind.”

The Gorillaz App places the user inside the band’s house, enabling them to interact with the various virtual band members. JLR’s recruitment area is set in the garage, where you can learn about the company’s I-Pace concept car with the help of guitarist Noodle. Users are then invited to take part in the Alternate Reality Game format (ARG), a challenge that sets them a series of code breaking puzzles.

“This exciting collaboration between Gorillaz and Jaguar Land Rover adds an Alternative Reality Game layer to what is already a cutting edge mixed reality mobile experience combining AR, VR and 360,” said Davor Krvavac, executive creative director at B-Reel London, the company behind the app.

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The more and more complicated recruitment system is where you are losing valuable candidates, who cannot get past the first hurdle to the face to face interview where their passion and commitment would shine through. Many dyslexics who make brilliant engineers, fail at the first hurdle due to timed tests and tests involving large volumes of text. This is not an exciting development.

Agreed! As a dyslexic engineer currently going through the motions of finding a new job it is very hard to get across all the benefits, such as enhanced spacial awareness and abstract problem solving etc. All of which feeds one’s enthusiasm for engineering. This app is an interesting idea and I hope it helps with this problem.

Great app, and a great way of sorting to find the real talent. Sadly, after the three stages of the challenge you get to enter your details, only to be confronted by a network error. If you get that far, you have the skills to tell it’s a failing web server. Probably none of the existing JLR people could get that far to test it 😉